Which of the following strategies is essential for ensuring scene safety?

Identifying potential hazards is a crucial strategy for ensuring scene safety. Before approaching a scene, first responders must assess the environment for any risks that could threaten their safety or the safety of others involved. This involves looking for various types of hazards, such as chemical spills, downed power lines, fire, traffic, or hostile individuals. By recognizing these dangers early on, responders can take necessary precautions and implement safety measures to protect everyone involved, including patients, bystanders, and themselves.

In contrast, while clearing traffic away from the scene, providing comfort to the patient, and administering first aid are all important aspects of a responder's role, they may not directly address the overarching concern of safety. Clearing traffic, for example, is a reactive measure rather than a proactive identification of hazards. Similarly, providing comfort and administering first aid are crucial for patient care but can only effectively take place once the scene is determined to be safe. Therefore, identifying potential hazards is foundational to maintaining a safe working environment during any incident response.